Finally…We’re Starting the Boonville Cottage and Garden

I know…it’s been months and months since my last posts. We’ve been so busy. That’s my only real excuse and I’m sticking to it.

:::sigh:::

I won’t go into all of the details, but I can say that it has been a busy year. The great news is that at last, we are moving forward with our beautiful house and garden plan in Boonville! We have had the property up for sale, but there were no takers, so we’ve decided to take it off the market and proceed with our original plan to build. My “Old Woman’s Garden” will finally be happening!

It’s not really a, “house,” but a charming, 1-bedroom cottage that will be rented out to vacationers. It’s going to be perfect for our guests visiting our beautiful area for wine tasting, cheese sampling, hiking, relaxing and taking in the annual music festivals. Everything is within walking distance…wineries, brewery, restaurants and music. The Mendocino coast is only a 30 minute drive away with plenty of vineyards to visit along the way.

The cottage will be old-fashioned and traditional, clad in creamy, white siding and featuring a bright, red door. There will be privacy and a beautiful, outdoor space, (I’m hoping for a screened, sleeping porch, budget permitting,) and of course, lots and lots of flowers.

Boonville Cottage Floor Plan as it stands now.

The plans have been submitted to the county and we don’t foresee many problems with the building department. The only thing is that they are extremely busy right now, due to the 2017 &2018 fire victims rebuilding. We certainly don’t mind waiting in line for them to be taken care of first. We expect to break ground in the spring and it shouldn’t take too long to build. The septic system is already in and we have a well for water and public utilities readily available.

I’ve already started ordering the plants for the garden, which will probably take several years to take shape. Various hydrangeas and roses will be the main foundation plants. Hedges will provide privacy and there will be the proverbial, white picket fence and trellis. The 20, old, apple trees will remain on the property, as will the large shed that we recently painted a soft, barn red.

Boonville Vacation Rental Garden Plan

The inside of the house will be very traditional with a playful nod to the past. Of course, there has to be a perfect bed…big and lux…the kind that you never want to get out of. I plan to make a couple of quilts for that. I’ll also have lots of furniture redo projects, including some old chairs and a Victorian settee that will need repairs and reupholstering. We’ll need some interesting artwork too. Who knows what else I’ll find on Craig’s List and at the antiques fair between now and then. I’ll keep you posted about those.

Pictures…I’ll be posting those soon. (I know, I know, I KNOW! I’m so bad at taking the pix in a timely manner…my apologies.) I’ll get the “before” pix up ASAP and will bring you progress updates all along the way.

Wish us luck! Building can make, or break a marriage. This will be our 4th house project and we are still going strong, so it must be a good thing.